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Wednesday, December 23, 1998 Published at 18:09 GMT

F1 newcomers fight colour BAR

The action starts again in Melbourne on March 7

Formula One newcomers, British American Racing, are to mount a legal challenge to the sport's governing body over a ruling that teams cannot run two cars in substantially different liveries.

BBC Motor racing correspondent Jonathan Legard explains the background (BBC Radio 5 Live)
BAR want to field cars in colours representing different cigarette brands and claim the International Automobile Federation's regulation restricts commercial freedom when dealing with potential sponsors.

The team, which includes former world champion Jacques Villeneuve, has been testing its new car at the Montmelo circuit near Barcelona this week.

[ image: Villeneuve: Good times in testing]
Villeneuve: Good times in testing
Managing director Craig Pollock said: "We have tried to explore every possible avenue to resolve the matter and avoid taking this course of action.

"Unfortunately, the FIA did not give us any other option and we have therefore initiated formal legal proceedings."

BAR has a multi-million pound agreement with chief sponsors British American Tobacco and wants to run cars in colours representing different brands of cigarette.

The new rule was introduced after the team's decision to enter Formula One in the 1999 season, which gets under way at the Australian Grand Prix in less than three months.

"We have already demonstrated that we will do everything possible to be a serious contender in Formula One and therefore have no choice but to take all legal steps available to protect our interests and those of our sponsors," Pollock added.